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President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met for talks overshadowed by unusually blunt U.S. criticism of the Jewish states latest settlement plans.

While the two leaders smiled at the start of their meeting in Washington today, tensions were evident hours later when the White House and State Department condemned Israels latest plans to expand Jewish housing in east Jerusalem. The proposed construction of 2,610 new homes in the Givat Hamatos area was disclosed by the activist group Peace Now earlier today.

This development will only draw condemnation from the international community, distance Israel from even its closest allies, poison the atmosphere not only with the Palestinians but also with the very Arab governments with which Prime Minister Netanyahu said he wanted to build relations, and call into question Israels commitment to a peaceful, negotiated settlement with Palestinians, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement that was mirrored by White House press secretary Josh Earnest.

Israels construction of Jewish settlements in territories it has occupied since 1967 has been one of the main obstacles to peace talks, including the latest U.S.-brokered negotiations, which collapsed in April. Palestinians claim those lands for their future state.

Israeli Housing Ministry spokesman Ariel Rosenberg said earlier today that he couldnt immediately confirm the Peace Now report, which said tenders for the construction were published by the government on Sept. 24, indicating final approval.

Iran's Nuclear Plan

The Givat Hamatos area, which lies near the Palestinian city of Bethlehem on the West Bank, is part of the east Jerusalem territory captured by Israel from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed in a move condemned by the United Nations as a violation of international law. Israel maintains the land is disputed territory whose status should be resolved in peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority.

While the U.S. has objected to past settlement plans, such strong public condemnation is rare. The U.S. supports Israel with billions of dollars in military aid, and has regularly blocked measures at the UN condemning Israeli policy toward the Palestinians.

Earlier, at the start of their talks, Netanyahu sought to put the public focus on Irans nuclear program as international negotiators head toward a Nov. 22 deadline for an accord. The U.S. and Israel share the goal of preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power, he said.

One of Netanyahus proclaimed goals for the talks was to urge the U.S. not to get distracted by other issues, including the battle with Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, and keep the focus on Iran and its nuclear program.

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Obama Sees Common Goals With Netanyahu Amid Crises